There are a lot of odd characters hanging out on Bemidji’s downtown corners. They arrive in June and stay for about a year, braving the elements and posing for tourists. The most famous is Patton on the corner of Third and Minnesota, but he is not necessarily the most popular sculpture.
The Sculpture Walk is just one way that the downtown arts scene brings people into downtown and gives them a reason to get out of their cars. Murals downtown and all the businesses that display local artwork make downtown special and add economic benefit too.
Last year I was researching information for a grant application and came across Making the Case for Culture. This site provides a wealth of information about the positive contributions of a vibrant cultural sector in a community. One section, Culture as an Economic Engine, outlines nine ways that culture-based businesses and organizations provide economic benefit to a community. Their research confirms what we already knew: a vibrant arts and culture sector are an essential part of a successful community.
In Minnesota, the arts generate more than $1 billion in economic activity per year. We support arts and culture through the State Arts Board. This state agency was created by the state legislature to advance the interests of the fine arts. They provide funding for several arts initiatives like artists in residence at schools and grants to local artists. The Board functions in part through Regional Arts Councils, including the local Region II Arts Council and oversees the percent for art program that secures artwork for publicly funded buildings. (The Bemidji Regional Event Center will have a percent for art component.)
Locally, the County provides support to the Beltrami County Historical Society, which is located in the Beltrami County History Center. Recently their support has been reduced, perhaps in part because of the County’s support of the Blackduck History and Arts Center.
The City of Bemidji provides public space for the Sculpture Walk and the Veteran’s Memorial sculptures. The City also owns the Depot, home of the History Museum and the City owns the Carnegie Library building, which houses the Bemidji Community Arts Center. Both buildings have historic or cultural importance; the History Center is the last depot built by railroad tycoon, James J. Hill and the Carnegie Library is on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings are provided rent-free with the tenants responsible for utilities and maintenance.
Unfortunately, the pinch of our economic downturn will hit arts organizations hard. Even with free rent, the high cost of utilities makes it difficult for the BCAC and the Historical Society to make ends meet. And the State Arts Board may not survive our current (and future) budget deficit. The Governor’s proposed budget slices them by 50% in 2009 and ultimately would have them transition from a public entity to a private non-profit by 2011. Funding from the Legacy Amendment will help, but it isn’t clear how it will be distributed.
One thing is sure; public and private support make strong and successful art and culture organizations possible. Supporting arts and culture is everyone’s job. So if you haven’t joined the Historical Society or visited the History Center or the Arts Center recently, this would be a good week to do it. The Arts Center gallery and gift Shop 426 are open Tuesday through Friday 12-5pm and Saturday 12-4pm. The History Museum is open M-Saturday 10-4. And of course, the Sculpture Walk is available 24 hours a day. Get out and support our local art and culture.
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